I have two observations from the weekend.

Mayoral candidate Jack Wagner is called stoic, but what he really is is boring.

I like Justin Timberlake. I don't want to, but I can't help myself.

Gun Legislation
Written by Rob Rogers on Friday, 12 April 2013.

Yes, the Senate is considering some mild changes to the gun laws and then the House will do the same. But don't be fooled. They will never change their true religion.

Many of my friends know that for many years I depended on the opinions of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert when deciding what movies to go see or to rent. After Gene Siskel died, the opinions of Roger Ebert became the gold standard. Both men were reportedly special people and talented columnists, and they both died too young.

Brewed On Grant: Peduto Magic
Written by Rob Rogers on Wednesday, 03 April 2013.

Pittsburgh's mayoral race has turned into a wild political ride. First Luke, Peduto and Lamb were in. Then, Luke was out. Then everybody and his mother jumped in. Then, after thinking about it for a week or so, a bunch of people dropped out. Now there are only four left. Peduto is still one of them.
 

Sometimes I think highlights just don't work. These are the worst I've ever seen. Even worse than Pam Oliver.

These are Pittsburgh's five mayoral candidates. They were obviously seated a little close together for this photo. Poor Bill Peduto looks incredibly uncomfortable.

Orie Melvin resigns; governor has chance to appoint new justice
Convicted justice to depart May 1
March 26, 2013 12:12 am
By Timothy McNulty / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Republican Gov. Tom Corbett will have to reach across the aisle to fill a seventh seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which has been deadlocked for nearly a year.

Suspended Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin submitted her resignation Monday, a month after she was convicted on public corruption charges. She is due to be sentenced May 7 and in a letter to Gov. Corbett, she said "it is with deep regret and a broken heart" that she tendered her resignation, effective May 1.

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of this Commonwealth for the past 28 years, and I am deeply saddened that I am not able to fulfill my commission."


http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/orie-melvin-resigns-governor-has-chance-to-appoint-new-justice-680887/

Frozen Gun Laws
Written by Rob Rogers on Sunday, 24 March 2013.

Despite all the talk by Obama and others about stricter gun laws in the wake of the Newtown massacre, it looks like once again Congress won't have the courage to take on assault weapons. This is just sad.

A softer side of Katherine Webb, just for Mr. Blondie.

Al Franken has had an interesting path to the U.S. Senate. Do you remember way back when he was on "Saturday Night Live," he had a small part in the movie "Trading Places" as one of the two guys entrusted to guard a gorilla on a train on New Year's Eve? He's come a long way, to be sure.

Mayoral Mess 
Written by Rob Rogers on Tuesday, 05 March 2013.

Boy Mayor, the cartoonist's gift that keeps on giving, will no longer be giving after 2013. That's right, folks. The juice box comes with an expiration date.

Big Wheel Down
Written by Rob Rogers on Monday, 04 March 2013.

Luke Ravenstahl shocked the region when he said he wouldn't be seeking another term as mayor. Nobody is sadder about the news than I am.
 

Although there have not been any major snowfalls in this part of the country this winter, it still seems like it has been a long, laborious winter. There have been numerous smaller snowfalls, and it has been bloody cold. As for me, it's been an unpleasant winter. I guess it's possible that I'm getting soft as I get older. I probably am. This winter has been so miserable for me, personally, that I am hoping, however fantastically, that this will be my last winter in Pittsburgh. I'm hoping that once I get my health issues worked out that I will be able to move my life to Florida and join my parents down there year round. There are so many things that I would miss about living in Pittsburgh, as I truly love this city. But I feel as though the writing is on the wall. And it says move to Florida.

What is the appropriate time in the morning for people to start using their snow blowers?

What's up with the commercials with Stephen Dorff for electronic cigarettes? What's an electronic cigarette? It's weird seeing commercials on TV for cigarettes. Other than on "Mad Men."

DAVE: Did you see the camera shots of A.J. McCarron's girlfriend in the stands? Truly beautiful. In a world where the term is overused.

JIM: Very beautiful, yes. But old man Brent Musburger gushing over her the way that he did was kind of creepy.

Is that us now too? Are we the creepy old guys when we talk about beautiful women? I don't feel like I'm there yet, but I'm not sure how I would know.

DAVE: We're not there, yet. And we're not on TV.

JIM: Thanks. I guess I feel better about myself now.

DAVE: Did you Google her, yet? I did.

JIM: I did not. I wanted to be surprised by the Hot Girl Friday pics.

DAVE: With Katherine Webb the hottest search on Google today, are you really going to wait to see if I post a photo on Friday?

JIM: I will let you sift through all of the online noise using your vaunted high-speed Internet. I know you only post the best, and I am willing to wait for that.

Bill Peduto for Mayor . . .

Brewed On Grant: Boy New Year
Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Written by Rob Rogers

The race is on! If you're like me, you can hardly wait for the exciting 2013 Pittsburgh mayoral campaign to really get underway!

I opened two Christmas cards yesterday. They were both the kind that are covered in sparkles. While I am always thankful for any Christmas cards that I receive, given that I don't send any, I cringe when I open an envelope to find a card with sparkles. It takes, oh, about two seconds for them to get all over my hands, and from there, the sparkles seem to spread all over my home and last for months. It drives me crazy.

That's my father . . .

DAVE: Were you and Mom pleased with the winner of "Dancing with the Stars?"

DAD: Sort of neutral. I was pleased for Tony Devoloni, who has been on the show since it started and has never won. I did not care for his celebrity. I always vote for Derek Hough and his celebrity and would have preferred to see them win. I think Derek is, hands down, the best professional dancer on the show.